{I took this picture this morning.}One of the testimonies shared at church today goes along with my feelings from Women's Conference. Here is the gist of what was said, It's one thing to say the words, but it's quite another thing to live your life in harmony with the beliefs behind those words.
I try to live my life according to my beliefs, so that I'm not saying one thing and doing another, but there are many areas of my life that need improvement. I would like there to be no question in my character about what I believe and what my values are. I am feeling an increased responsibility to be a better mother; to teach my children well and help them (and me) be the people the Lord knows we can be. Where to start...
**Thoughts??**
25 comments:
These are great thoughts for a Sunday!
with the desire missy, that is really all you need first!
i wish i had more natural opportunities to teach and serve. i can be a really good person in my bedroom by myself, but that doesn't do anybody any good. i wish i had more opportunities to walk the walk.
i am so glad you're back!! and i surely hope you post on your women's conference adventures!!!
these are great thoughts, jill (and a gorgeous picture to go with it- you may consider selling your prints! they are incredible!). and your sp is gorgeous, too. :)
i've been thinking about this a lot lately. it's been eating at my soul that my life and my beliefs match up. not that there's this huge discrepancy or anything...but there's this desire to be better about it, to be a little bolder in terms of where i stand in the world, you know? and i think that a huge driving factor is that motherhood aspect- you want your kids to have a straight way- and a compass to point them correctly. i think, too, i've seen so many blessings from just TRYING to do what i should, that if i could just ALWAYS do that and be that, i wonder what more good could come...
and now i should go. as it's sunday pm and i am eating frozen cookie dough while my child watches "run, fat boy, run" on his dvd player. right- righteous indeed for a sabbath.
That's a beautiful picture of the temple. I'm glad you're back and I'm excited to hear all about your weekend.
I've been grappling with this too. I wish I had the answer. Being spiritually in tune and preparerd is the main answer I've come up with as I wonder how to do these things.
I really need to work on this. I know what I believe but I haven't been doing everything I believe to get me to a better place. I am anxious to read your notes from this weekend.
Hello to you! I've just whizzed down through your last posts and realised how much I've missed seeing your Good Mail, Michelle's cooking, your funny expressions, cleaning, and your garden coming into bloom again. Wonderful stuff!
I'm glad you had a good time at the Conference. I've actually got last May's 'Ensign' by my bed at the moment and re-read a couple of talks on mothers the other night. Howzat for timing? :-)
As for my thoughts, I do find talking through my aims and anxieties with my husband is REALLY important to getting my 'job' done as a good mother. I have to remember that I'm in a partnership with him as a parent. I find that when I talk things through with him, we are able to exchange encouragements and steer each other away from avoidable stresses. I guess what I'm saying that the word 'mother' is singular, but a good one is certainly not built on singularities. ***Team Stuart!!***
I constantly struggle with all of these things. If you are doing the best you can to your ability is what really matters.
I love your temple SP and the picture with the tulips! Beautiful!
I'm glad that Women's Conference was enjoyable again this year. How nice to feel recommited to being your best:)
I am really touched by what Amanda told you. So true, sometimes it does take a family to complete what individualy we begin.
Good thoughts JIll- living with intention is something I should work on (along with plenty of other things that would keep me more in line with my beliefs!). Some weeks are better that others- there are those weeks where I get too lax and just let life happen. Feels much better to be in control.
Also love Amanda's comments on the whole team spirit. The hubby and I don't check with each other enough on our intentions as parents and for this family.
I love your temple picture!
I can't believe it's really been a year since last women's conference. I felt so uplifted after last year, I wish I could have gone this year. It's so nice to have that break from regular life and just have your bucket filled. I'm glad it was wonderful for you!
Every Sunday you have the best words and thoughts to get us all thinking and doing--love it!
I can still remember the moment that I was taught that "faith" is an action word...it is just what you talked about--walking the walk, living with intention,etc.
In Relief Society today we sang "Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words" and the Lord reminded me (again) that I need to fix this as a mother..so that is one way I specifically am trying to do better.
I absolutely think that Amanda hit it right on with her comments. Communication is key to family life...it is the foundation of my marriage with Jeff!
Looking forward to hearing about the Conference! ;)
I love Womens Conference because (whenever I have been able to attend) I come away with the same motivation to be better and do better. I'm glad you were able to go and can't wait to read your recap.
As for "being" it's a daily effort that takes focus and commitment. Some days I do better than others.
I agree with Claudia (and almost everyone else!)
Most of all, I love the feeling of desiring to be more closely connected to my knowledge of right and wrong and being committed to making my actions consistant with that knowledge. I have often taught my various classes that this action is what leads us to perfection and obedience. We know the formula. I love knowing that!
I LOve these picture! WOW
It was a real eye opener for me talking with you Friday after lunch.... I spent the rest of the day pondering some things. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. I never realized how bad it had gotten, I try so hard to just be nice about it all- but maybe that is just the "easy" way out. Having to deal with hard things just brings up a lot of past hurt. I don't have the guts... I just want things to be smooth-
I really appreciate you-
amazing how much you have touched my life- thanks jill
Thanks for this post and the beautiful photos. This sounds like you are on a journey to be authentic Jill -- and to me that's the only way to live. I've wrestled with a lot of these same issues in my life - the hardest part, in my opinion, was in learning to be honest with what I wanted for me. Trust yourself...and be true to yourself. Once you've done that, and you've committed to being true to YOU, the rest gets easier.
i think that whatever our level of committment, it's always a good thing to feel like you could do better if we gave it a little more effort. "feeling an increased responsibility to be a better mother" is never a bad thing because i think there's alwasy room for self improvement on a number of levels. :)
glad you had a great weekend. next year i've got to get myself there.
You've got some smokin' photography skills, my friend!
I've been thinking about you a lot over the weekend, wondering how the festivities were going! I always miss you when you've been gone for even a day!--
Although I grouse about too many church meetings sometimes, I'm grateful for the opportuntity that we have to recommit ourselves frequently to improving ourselves--
The messages given in church, Women's Conferences, General Conference, Stake Conferences etc. all build me up and push me to be the best person I can be.
First off, I just love these photos you took of the temple with the tulips...so beautiful!
Second, it was so great to see you and Michelle, and Kristi. So fun chatting with you!
Third, I agree with everything you said today about parenting, and living life according to our beliefs. I really enjoyed Women's Conference, and can't wait for the book of talks to come out so I can re-visit them. I'm so glad I took notes too!
I have no doubt that you parent with a great deal of thought and intention. You are a blessing to your family.
Lovely pictures!
I am loving all of the tulips this year and wish I had planted some...
I need so much improvement it is best not to get started.... good thoughts as always.
What an incredible message. Living my life in harmony with what I believe is something that I need to make sure I'm doing. I love feeling motivated to improve--you're a great parent already, and I'm sure that with these goals, you'll be an even more amazing mom.
That photo of the temple is amazing! Beautiful.
My main take-away from Women's Conference is also to live and parent with more intention. So many goals...
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